Meaning & use
matriculation
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Meanings
noununcountableformal
The official process of being accepted and registered as a student at a university or college.
Grammar: Usually uncountable: matriculation takes place in autumn.
Patterns
- matriculation at something
- matriculation into something
Matriculation takes place on the first day of term.
Her matriculation at the university was a proud moment.
New students attended a matriculation ceremony.
noununcountableIndian
In some countries, the exam taken at the end of secondary school, or the qualification it gives.
Grammar: Often shortened to matric, mainly in South Asia and southern Africa.
He passed his matriculation with distinction.
A matriculation certificate is needed for the course.
Common combinations
- matriculation ceremony
- The matriculation ceremony was held in the old hall.
- matriculation exam
- She studied hard for the matriculation exam.
- upon matriculation
- Students sign a pledge upon matriculation.
- matriculation fee
- The matriculation fee is due in August.
Synonyms and how they differ
- enrollment
- Broader and more common; can apply to any school or course, whereas matriculation is formal and university-focused.
- admission
- Refers to being accepted, whereas matriculation is the formal registration afterwards.
- registration
- General signing up, including for individual classes.
Opposites
Word family
- matriculate verb
- to enroll formally at a university
- matriculant noun
- a person who matriculates
- matric noun
- short form for the school-leaving exam
Commonly confused: matriculation or graduation?
matriculation vs graduation
Matriculation is when you begin as a university student; graduation is when you complete your degree.
Practice
At a university, matriculation marks the moment a student ___.
Choose one answer.
Matriculation is formal enrollment at the start of study. Receiving a degree is graduation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “matriculation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.